Alamo Heights ISD—Alamo Heights Natatorium
Architect: LPA, Inc.
As part of the 2017 Bond program, Alamo Heights ISD constructed a new natatorium featuring a 61-meter pool including 1m and 2m bulkheads and 1m and 3m diving boards to replace their previous facility built in the 1970s with a 25-yard pool. This 38,000 sq ft facility includes spectator seating for 800, concessions, locker rooms for the home teams, visitor changing rooms and showers, a trampoline and deck space for dry land training and a large plaza for competing teams to gather between races.
Design
The new natatorium features a 39-meter-by-25-yard pool with a movable bulkhead, two pairs of 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards, training tools including a trampoline and over-the-water diving belts, and seats for 400 spectators. The facility not only meets the majority of recreational and competitive needs for student athletes, but the inclusion of local groups and community-based classes.
Value
Building performance, material performance, and healthy environments were key priorities for the district. Two water-retention ponds were added to the site to meet San Antonio city requirements for storm water management for regenerating groundwater, and VFDs (variable-frequency drives) were installed, helping to reduce operating costs and energy use by adjusting pump speeds. Heat-recovery technology allows the pool to be heated without the use of natural gas.
Innovation
The movable bulk-head allows for reconfiguration of the pool for training lanes, competitions, or free swim, allowing 100% of the pool to be utilized at any given time. 6 diver stations utilize special harnesses at each diving board, for athletes to practice their flips, and a video playback camera is utilized for dive training. The inclusion of local groups and community-based classes will also help offset the district’s operational costs.
Community
N/A
Planning
N/A
School Transformation
N/A
Star of Distinction Category Winner